Hinduism Beliefs & Teachings Flashcards
Atman:
The inner self/soul
Moksha:
Freedom
Monism:
Two ideas that are the same
Dualism:
Two ideas that work side by side but are different
Samsara:
The cycle of life
Sanchita:
Total karma of past life
Santana Dharma:
Eternal law
Varnashramadharma:
Laws and duties specific to caste
Naraka:
Hell
Svarga:
Heaven
Yamas:
4 virtues
Margas:
Paths
Atman Jnana:
Self-knowledge
Maya:
Illusion
Nirguna Brahman:
God with no form
Saguna Brahman:
God with a form
Bhagavan:
Supreme Being
Om:
Symbol of Brahman
Transmigration:
Moving into a new body
Sakam:
Acting with the thought of a reward
Nishkam:
Acting with true kindness
Parabdha:
Karma that cannot be changed (the past)
Kriyamana:
Karma that can be changed (the future)
Ashrama:
Current stage of life
Purusharthas:
4 aims
What does Brahman refer to?
The ultimate reality, which can be reached through moksha
What are the obstacles in the way of reaching moksha?
Maya
Who believe Atman and Brahman are monistic?
Shaivites
What does dharma help you to do?
Achieve the 4 yamas
7 principles of Santana Dharma: (GRAWMSM)
- Remember God G
- Consider right and wrong M
- Read scripture S
- Aim for moksha M
- Worship W
- Respect elders R
- Care for animals A
What do BAPS members live according to and what does this mean they do/don’t do?
Shikshapatri meaning they don’t drink alcohol or eat meat and are honest
Varnashrama Dharma system w/ examples:
1) Brahmins –> teachers, the educated
2) Kshatriyas –> warriors, law and order
3) Vaishayas –> business/land owners
4) Shudras –> labourers
5) Dalits –> untouchables
What are the two interpretations of Maya?
- God’s way of making us believe we are living in reality
- Other powerful force
Purusa:
Can’t be seen
Prakriti
Can be seen
Tri-guna:
Creation, maintenance and destruction
3 Lokas (other names):
1) Lower worlds (Naraka)
2) Earth realm
3) Heavenly planets (Svarga)
What do some say about Naraka?
Those that are there cannot be reborn
Process of Naraka: (3)
1) Yamadutas bring people to Yama
2) He makes a judgement
3) They are reborn accordingly
Where do the Devas live? (2)
Bhuva Loka and Svarga Loka in the heavenly realm
Tri-murti:
Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva
Where do each of the Tri-murti live?
Brahma - Brahmapura
Vishnu - Vaikuntha
Shiva - Manomaya
Brahma features: (5)
- 4 heads –> for all the directions and the Vedas
- Lotus
- Self-born
- Mala
- Spoon
Vishnu features: (3)
- Brahma’s father
- 4 arms
- Blue
Shiva features: (5)
- Terrifying
- Trident
- Blue
- Male & female
- 3rd eye
Who are each of the consorts to the Gods?
Brahma - Saraswati, God of Music
Vishnu - Lakshmi, God of Wealth
Shiva - Parvati, God of Strength
What is Vishnu’s role w/ 2 examples?
- Vishnu saved Prahlada from a demon
- Lifted Govardhana hill with finger to protect Vrindavana from heavy rain
Which group of followers believe in avatars strongly?
Vaishnavites
Brahma avatars: (2)
- Valmiki
- Dattatreya
How many avatars does Vishnu have and name some: (3)
- Rama
- Ganesha
- Krishna
Shiva avatars: (2)
- Nandi
- Sharabha
Purna avatars:
Full avatars
Ansha avatars:
Partial avatars
In what events are Saraswati and Brahma prayed upon?
Concerts
In what events are Lakshmi and Vishnu prayed upon?
Weddings
How many deities are there?
33,303
What are the 4 versions of Krishna?
- Infant eating butter
- Boy playing flute
- Man w/ lots of women
- Elderly man giving guidance
4 Yamas w/ meaning:
- Ahimsa –> non-violence
- Daya –> compassion
- Dana –> giving
- Dama –> self-restraint
Charities that commit to dharma: (2)
- Friends of Vrindavan –> Cleaning forests (where Krishna lived)
- Bhaktivedanta Manor cow project –> providing sanctuary for cows
In what scripture are the Purusharthas referenced the most?
The Vedas
4 Purusharthas:
- Moksha –> freedom
- Dharma –> duties
- Artha –> wealth (material & emotional)
- Kama –> pleasure
Shruthi:
Revealed by God and heard by man
Smriti:
Remembered and passed down through generations
What is the oldest scripture and how long ago was it written?
The Vedas, written 3500 years ago
